Ok, so I went into the pond tent this morning to take a look at things and check the temperature. The water has dropped three degrees this week to 36F, but still no sign of ice so I am happy!! But......my water is still pea soup green :-( I thought it would clear up by now?????

That is strange. Algae normally doesn't like it cold but you probably have cold-loving species up there. Some species can survive freezing. If you put some of your pond water in a glass, the water is really green? Or, does it just seem green looking down into your abyss?

KK, have you ever tried liquid or bail barley? I have been using it in my dinky pond. I use the liquid b/c I don't want the bails to be seen. My water is clean now but I also put that quilt batting around the pump/filter about a month ago. I could see about a foot down into the pond and the water seemed to be getting clearer but I ran out of patience and wrapped the pump. A few days after wrapping the pump the water cleared right up. The batting caught all the little green floaters. I can see the bottom in all it's glory now. :) The snails, fish and the fish "leftovers" after they processed the fish food. :o Wrapping the pump meant that I don't have to clean the filter as often, which is a good thing. (yea Robyn I know I do still need to clean it and I will :) )
I think Johnnyboy uses some kind of winter prep for his pond and says it works real well.
Isn't there anyone on the board that has a pond setup close to yours or are you a one of a kind ponder?? :rolleyes:

KK I used the barley extract in my pond and it worked reaaaaalll well it took a couple weeks through. But like I said b4 that was the start of my water problems once it all cleared up threw my levels all out of wack BAD. So not sure if it is a good idea to try to kill in the winter or if water level changes this time of year would be to stressfull for the fish and doing water changes in the freezing cold for you would completely suck for sure. I would get Robyns opinion on that.

Remember green water sucks for us but the fish dont mind.

I don't suggest water changes for algae problems. They only provide a temporary fix. As long as the water is liquid, you can do water changes but they can be stressful if the water is too different in temperature or water chemistry. Well water (at least mine) usually has compressed carbon dioxide in it and low oxygen levels so changing a lot causes problems (mostly fixed by heavy aeration).

Well it is definately GREEN! Looks like one of those "green" drinks people drink, LOL. I will do a water sample today. It should be fine, there is so much aeration in there. I will post my results later on! Wouldn't suprise me if I have some kind of freak Northern algae that thrives in -20, LOL!!

KK do you have the pond shut down-Pump, Filter? I know you have the air pump running. How long has the pond been green? Before you winterized or after?

The pond has been green since August :-( The filter and pump have been out for a month. I think it just started because I am in full sunlight and in the summer we have about 21 hours of daylight and my stupid barrell filters just couldn't keep up. I just thought the algae would DIE DIE DIE in this iceburg I live in :-( I am going to build the BA (big a**) filter system and no algae will stand a chance GGRRR :angry:

Although I'm not a strong supporter, because I think if you need it something else is wrong, but you may want to try a UV light.

Now I don't know a lot about ponding but would you think with KK light conditions [more daylight hours] UP there some of the rules for down here might not apply to her as well? :unsure:

EEEEWWWW! I might have to though :-( I will see how my new filter system and pergola help it first.

Could be Tia (Tlc); sun is typically a requirement for algae. More sun, more algae potential I'd say.

KK are you adding bacteria supplements? and/or barley?

I've had good luck fighting late season algae with liquid concentrated barley, and MicrobeLift Winter/Autum treatment (beneficial bacteria) comes as a kit, liquid and dry packets.

Yeah KK I use the autum bacteria thing too. It works well.

Word to the wise if you get it just so you dont look like a rere like me the packets of the powder are in packet that the water breaks up, just throw them in.

Yeah I stared at it for 30 minutes before I realized that the u just throw them in LMAO

whatever I was alone

Ha Ha that is a good one C2! I don't think our pet store here sells a lot of these cool items. I was trying to keep my pond "natural" but it is getting hard. I am so missing the pond right now. I find myself wishing for Spring! Oh well it gives me more time for planning.

KK how deep did you say your pond is. If your pond is over 4ft deep which i think it is you not only need the filteration for that size pond but also good circulation down in the middle area of the pond. When i, or a customer builds a pond deeper than 4-5 ft then i use bulkheads at the middle depth to move the water around down there. That may be one problem. With as much sun as your getting in one day you should really think about a UV light. I must people say you dont need it but it would get you clear, you dont have to run it all the time but maybe every other month depending on the water. Also remember that you have that plastic covering your pond so it is acting like a greenhouse and we know what happens to plant life in a greenhouse. Even with the cold temps you can still have some strain of algae.

Hi JRN! The pond is 9 feet deep. You are right, I should have some circulation going on down there and I didn't. When I put the pump back in next spring, I will run some new plumbing to get the water moving down there. Thanks for the tip :D

Hey KK that bacteria stuff is all natural no chemicals in at all it smells like a** though. I use no chemicals in mine just barley and live bacteria. Try to keep as natural as possiable. Good luck beat the green team!!!

The only thing I am beating today is my head off of the wall! I don't know why I live here! It is SO COLD right now. I peeked in the pond today and it looks so freaky in there. There are icicles hanging everywhere, BUT........there is still an opening in the ice :D It is -40 with the wind chill today :o

OK... I was just taking a sip of wine when I read this... Now my monitor and keyboard have little red spots everywhere!
Seriously, first time I opened the bacteria, those were my exact words - LOL

Lori

It's only the liquid bacteria stored with hydrogen sulfide that stink. Dry bacteria don't smell much. I use mostly dry BZT but do use the stinky Microbe-Lift liquid some too. The worst is once it's opened, and I put it back in the basement. For weeks, it's "who whatevered in the basement?!"

It sure doen't smell like flowers does it? :rolleyes:

Lori wrote:

You are soooo funny! Can you imagine reading your comment while sitting in an office full of people. Then try to hold back your laugh by tightly sealing your lips; I have just made the most herendous sputter noise, spit dots all over the place, and everyone starring at me like I'm an idiot. I owe you. Good one though....

Isnt their motto " If it doesn't smell like A@@ then it is not made by us " or something like that LMAO
C2

JB, This just made my day (insert evil smirk here). Isn't it wonderful how an innocent comment has had such a great snowball effect? I know I will get some residual giggles from all this at a later time :lol: I just love this board!!!

Lori

Just seeing the bottle now busts me up.

I think I will just keep the green water! This a** stuff sound dangerous for the computer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We will offically call it booty in a bottle

C2

ROFLMAO...here we go again!!!

Lori